The criminal case against a Navoi province resident who hit his wife with a GM Damas minivan has been upgraded to a more serious offense, the Prosecutor General's Office said.

As activists from the Nemolchi.uz project previously reported, a man named Shahriyar threatened his wife, Zamira, and hit her after learning of her intention to divorce and the need to pay child support for their four children. The victim sustained a fractured spine and paralysis of the lower body. A criminal case has been opened for a traffic violation; the man remains at large and continues to make threats.

Reportedly, on August 14 at approximately 9:00 AM, Shahriyar A., ​​driving a GM Damas, was driving along the internal road of the "Uzbekistan neighbourhood in Kyzyltepa district. He struck a pedestrian—his wife—who was walking on the right side of the road with the front of the vehicle.

As a result of the accident, the woman sustained serious injuries. The forensic medical examination found that the victim was diagnosed with multiple injuries—a concussion, a broken rib, spinal cord compression with an epidural hematoma, and a fractured and displaced lumbar vertebra—all classified as life-threatening injuries.

Initially, a criminal case was opened against the suspect, who had a prior conviction, under Part 1 of Article 266 of the Criminal Code (Violation of traffic safety rules or the operation of vehicles/punishable by a fine of up to 50 BCUs with deprivation of a certain right for up to 3 years, or house arrest for up to 3 years, or imprisonment for up to 3 years).

However, on September 19, the article was reclassified as Subclause "l" of Part 2 of Article 104 of the Criminal Code (Intentional grievous bodily harm caused with the use of a weapon or objects that can be used as a bladed weapon/punishable by imprisonment for 5 to 8 years).

The investigation took into account the forensic medical examination report from the Kyzyltepa District Medical Association, which determined the injuries to be serious and life-threatening.

The preliminary investigation is ongoing.